Four Jobs Where You Are At Risk For Repetitive Stress Injuries

Repetitive stress injuries (RSI) are more common in full time workers than anyone else. In fact, they were once only seen as work related conditions. However, today doctors know there are also things people do at home to cause these stress related injuries. Still, there are jobs that put people at a higher risk of developing a repetitive stress injury. Take a look at these four jobs and why people engaging in them are at a higher risk than everyone else in the world.

Assembly Lines

Assembly line workers are at a higher risk than anyone else when it comes to repetitive stress injuries. They are at such a high risk because of the physical aspects of doing their job. A typical assembly line worker will do the same motion hundreds of times a day. If they are a box un-loader, they will likely turn to their left side to get a box and their right to place it down. After doing the same motion day in and day out, their body starts to get overly stressed in the area the motion triggers. Therefore, doctors see more assembly line workers for repetitive stress injuries than anyone else in the working world.

Computer Worker

Another type of job that puts someone at a high risk for a repetitive stress injury is one that deals with computer work all day long. Secretaries often complain of having repetitive stress injuries like carpal tunnel syndrome. These injuries often occur because of repeated motion of typing. Using a computer is not a very physical act, however if you are typing over and over again, all day long, for years at a time, your fingers and hands can be stressed and you can experience pain.

Students

Although some people would not consider a student as a worker, they can be classified as full time workers. Students are emerging as a top group at risk for repetitive stress injuries. This is mainly because of the rise in computer use out of college students. Almost every college student in the world has a computer of some type. In fact, they almost all use them more than once a day. Some college kids stay on their computers for hours at a time. They use them for papers, research, and for entertainment purposes as well.

Massage Therapists

Massage therapists have a great job. They have flexible hours, a great salary, and a relaxing work environment. However, they don't always have pain-free hands. They work their hands so hard each day that they can really have a hard time with repetitive stress injuries in their arms and hands. If the massage therapist is not careful, and repeats the same massaging motion too often, he or she can really have problems.

These four job types are obviously not the only job types that can experience repetitive stress injuries. However, they are four job types that are at a high risk of developing one. Most people who work in these jobs are warned of the symptoms and how to prevent repetitive stress injuries. But, when you have to get your work done, there is often nothing you can do to keep from repeating motions. So, everyone working in these environments should just be careful and try to pay attention to their bodies. Sometimes taking a short break is all that is needed to allow the body time to rest.

About the Author:
Mike Serovey is the owner and webmaster for http://www.mikeserovey.net where you can submit your articles for free.